Family Goals
1. Purpose to be home more in 2008.
2. Love one another, prefer one another, be kind and tender-hearted to one another.
(Family Verse for 2008, Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."ESV)
Personal Goals
(Revised from last year)
1. Read my Bible and pray every day possible.
(Growing in grace to do what I know I am called to do, pursue holiness.)
2. Seek out tangible ways to encourage others as often as possible.
3. Purpose and pray to eat only when I am hungry, stopping when I am full, not stuffed!
The way to Heaven is ascending;
we must be content to travel uphill,
though it be hard and tiresome,
and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.
Jonathan Edwards
Apr. 30, 2008~ Stuff... ~
Several things going through my mind this week. I needed a place to sort them out. So here I go...
First off, I had one of those days when I truly wanted to give up on my homeschool. Actually, I wanted to leave the state! I even dreamed about what it would be like to be all alone in another state with a clean slate! But I am better now. I think it must be the time of year. We have less than 20 days to go. The weather is nice enough that they would rather be outside. I have a lot on my mind, so everything distracts me and I get side tracked too easily and our lessons suffer. And attitudes are not what they should be. I know everyone has bad days. What keeps me going is that I have not been told to stop. The Lord is the only One who can make me. I stand firm and will go forward until He says otherwise.
Friday is my meeting with the local government school to decide if Grace needs OT/PT next year. I have been diligently praying for wisdom. Right now I am not very confident about which direction to go. Grace has made amazing progress this year physically. I am certain her therapies have helped. I have talked to her therapists and they agree. However, they are leaving it up to me. My main goal would be for her to maintain and tweak some of the areas she is still delayed in. But, I am also weary of driving to school twice a week and I would like not to have anything to do with the government schools. My weariness probably should not be factored in here. So I will try not to think of that when I make this decision. The bottom line is that she probably could use the services again next year and as long as they are willing to provide them, then that is what I should do. Right? I do think that I made a mistake this week by revealing a little too much information when the resource teacher called to discuss Grace's IEP. It was the day I was ready to quit. Anyway, I told her how Grace is struggling with spelling and that may open a can of worms. I am praying that I can handle myself well during the conference. This particular teacher is not homeschool friendly. She has the attitude that only experts can teach. You know the type. Anyway, I did some assessments with Grace yesterday using the Indiana Academic Standards website and she did OK. Maybe that will appease this teacher. Why do I open my mouth? Ugh.
And then there is my sweet grandma in the rehab hospital. I can't go into specific details, but there is a family situation brewing that is making this more difficult that it needs to be. What is shocking and very sad is that this person causing the trouble claims to be a devout Christian. This person feels entitled and is mad that no one else feels the same way. Why can't we all be grown ups?
And finally, there is a business issue that I cannot speak about that is heavy on my mind. I am too sentimental. That's all I will say for now. I need to just let it go and see what the Lord has in mind, when the time comes.
Oh, there is one more thing. I gave up artificial sweeteners this last week. I feel that they are attributing to my dieting failures. I am also weaning myself off diet sodas and gum. And I need to wean from caffeine. When my coffee is used up, I will make the change. This is a huge deal for me. I really hope it makes a difference.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read this.
Hi, Jenn! I'm so blessed to have been invited into your world in a whole other way. (If only we could sort HSB by photo or something.) *lol* I doubt I would have found it without a little help from you. ;')
Can I just say, since I don't have a ton of time this second, that I can relate to this entry? That's probably not too helpful, but it does mean I know how to pray...and I will.
It sounds like you have a lot on your mind. My heart goes out to you. I hope at least one or two of these things get resolved satisfactorily soon.
It has been my experience that our worries over schooling are usually magnified in our own minds. I usually talk to my husband about my fears and he is able to put things into perspective for me. Maybe that would help you too!
You will be so glad you gave up artificial sweetners and caffeine. It makes a huge difference for me. I eat far fewer sweets. The caffeine headache is awful though and takes a few days to go away. Maybe you should wait until the pressure is off you a little bit.
And one last thing--I have always very much admired your attitude towards family. I think you seem like a very loving and patient wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, etc. I wish I was more like you in that way, and I thought it might make you feel better to hear it! :D
We have all been where you are/were at. I just had a day like that yesterday. It is a bummer when we open up too much to someone who isn't homeschool friendly, I pray that nothing comes of it.
Sorry about the family situation, that is so very hard. Even though I don't know exactly what's going on, and kind of family situation is hard.
Hmmm, I know what you mean by wanting to get out of the government run schools. Paulie was in OT and PT, and we did take him out when we started homeschooling, but they had agreed that he really didn't 'need' it anymore. We kept up things at home. We have one of those big bouncy balls that helps, and we have some finger exercises he does. If the Lord is showing you to take her out, He'll show you things to do at home. If He says another year, He'll give you strength for the drive.
Well, sorry for rambling so much. I do pray that things continue to work out and that the things that don't go the way you want, the Lord surround you with His presence. :)
JoAnn
I so understand the weariness of PT and OT. Is there anyway you can cut back and maybe go every other week and maybe practice the things she is learning at home in between? I hope and pray you can find a solution that both helps Grace and takes care of your needs too.
I also understand the feeling of let down when Christians aren't acting Christ like. I think it is much harder when the hurt comes from fellow Christians, because you just expect better. I pray the situation gets resolved and Christ works on everyone's heart.
Please try to take care of your self some during this time. You have a lot on your plate!!!
wow there is a lot to think about. I pray blessings my dear sweet SSiC. I know when I let go of being in the system I was so much better. I guess I think of the verse in Matt. 7 that talks about how we need to be careful NOT to cast our pearls before swine to be trampled on. That was one verse that helped me a lot. I will pray for wisdom from above and rest and KNOW that we have a BIG God and the song " Be Thous My Vision" speaks to my heart for you and myself.
Sending you a EXTRA BIG ((((HUG))) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary
Saw the title of your blog on another persons blog and had to investigate :-) . We just recently visited there on vacation. It was emotional for me and husband wanted to know why. I told him that it was just so much more simple back then. The family all pulled together to make it work, if they didn't it could be tragic. I cried when I saw Pa's fiddle in the museum. Just so much wisdom there and in our society tody we've made it all so complicated. I pray that the Lord would give you a straight path and encourage you with school. God Bless You, Julie
Hi Jenn ~ Give your burdens to our Lord, He wants them. He wants to make your load light ~ that's what His desire. We have all questioned at one point or another our decision to homeschool ~ it's what we do when we realize that it's to much just for us to handle on our own. Turn to our Lord for strength, comfort and rest. I can't imagine homeschooling without my Lord. You are in my prayers {{Hugs}} EMichelle ** I'll be praying that the 'Son'shines on you today.
Hi Jenn; Sorry to see you are struggling with some issues, but glad you can write about them. I don't think I could list everything going on in my brain, I would have zero readers instead of 4 rofl.
Abt. Govt school, yes best to view them as the "swine", as in "don't cast your pearls before swine". Speaking of swine have you read the story about how govt schools are like catching wild pigs? Is there any way you can see what they are doing and try it at home?
http://www.honestedu.org/misc/wild_pigs.php
Father God, Creator of the Universe who holds the stars in the sky and knows them all by name, NOTHING is impossible with you. We pray that you would bring peace to Jenn's heart and work out all that seems overwhelming to her today. You are able to direct Jenn's steps especially concerning Grace. You know her heart and how she only desires what is best for her daughter just as You desire what is best for Your children. In all things, be glorified dear Lord Jesus! And Lord it is always the one that does the least that feels the most entitled, correct this whole situation and bring peace to this dear family during this most difficult time.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
Leviticus 20:26 says, "You must be holy because I, the LORD, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own." This blog is my place to remember this journey I am on and God's goodness to me. I am glad you are here. Welcome to my blog.
